Description

Presented to Wally Schirra by Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman.

Apollo 8 Flown Silver Robbins Medallion Originally from the
Personal Collection of Mercury Seven Astronaut Wally Schirra,
Serial Number 294, with LOA. This sterling silver 38mm x 30mm
triangular-shaped medal was one of 300 flown on Apollo 8, December
21-27, 1968, into lunar orbit with crewmembers Borman, Lovell, and
Anders. The obverse of the medal features the mission insignia (a
Lovell design) depicting a figure eight containing the surnames of
the crew looping around the Earth and the moon symbolizing the
mission number as well as the mission's orbits around both bodies.
The three-sided shape with a rounded bottom imitates the shape of
the Apollo spacecraft. The reverse has the engraved dates of the
mission, serial number, and the sterling and Robbins hallmarks.
These three men were the first ever to escape Earth's gravity and
to see the "dark side of the moon." Original case with numbered
sticker on the bottom included (top cracked). Excellent condition.
From the Steven R. Belasco Collection of Space
Memorabilia.

This was part of Wally Schirra's complete collection of Apollo
Robbins medals sold together at a Christie's East auction on
September 18, 1999, Lot 90. Note that we are offering all eleven of
his medals in this auction.

Included with this lot is a copy of a signed Letter of Authenticity
from Wally Schirra on his letterhead stating that each of his
medallions were given to him by the mission commander. That would
be Frank Borman in this instance. The full text of the letter is
viewable online.

More Information:

Text of Schirra's Letter of Authenticity for His Collection of Robbins Medals.Enclosed is a complete set of Apollo sterling silver Robbins mission emblem medallions. Each was flown on their respective mission. Robbins began making these with my Apollo 7 flight. The following Apollo crews carried on the tradition and had medallions made for there [sic] flights as well. The commander for each flight after Apollo 7 gave me a flown medallion in order that I might have a complete set. I have listed the missions and medallion serial numbers below: